GUWAHATI, April 21: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma triggered a political storm on Monday after mocking the Congress party, suggesting it should replace its election symbol from a ‘hand’ with a ‘lungi’.
Speaking at his first election rally in Silapathar, Dhemaji district, Sarma accused the Congress of neglecting Assam’s development and reducing governance to the distribution of items like lungis, tupis, and mosquito nets.
“In their time, the only visible work of the Congress was handing out lungis and tupis. No real development happened,” Sarma said, drawing cheers from the crowd but criticism online. “There were no roads, no bridges, no medical colleges, and no job transparency. People had to pay lakhs in bribes for employment.”
The Chief Minister contrasted the past with what he described as his administration’s achievements, citing schemes like Orunudoi, Nijut Moina, free rice distribution, and reforms in public education. “Ask anyone—did Congress offer free school admissions? Did they waive fees for HSLC forms? They gave mosquito nets, not real progress,” he also said.
Shifting the focus to local governance, Sarma spoke about upcoming panchayat elections, claiming they are being conducted in a reformed, apolitical, and peaceful manner. “Though slightly delayed due to school board exams, the elections are happening in a fair atmosphere. Many candidates have been elected unopposed,” he said.
He also stated that while village-level candidates are contesting without party symbols, political parties will compete under their respective banners in Anchalik Panchayats and Zila Parishads. “We, the BJP along with AGP and Gana Shakti, are fighting this election unitedly,” he said, thanking voters for already electing over 300 Anchalik Panchayat and 40 Zila Parishad candidates from the NDA alliance.
Sarma ended his address by highlighting the industrial growth under his leadership. “For the first time, investors are committing over ₹5 lakh crore to Assam. The state once ravaged by floods, militancy, and mistrust is now moving towards peace and development.”
The Chief Minister claimed Assam is now more socially integrated, with reduced ethnic conflicts and better government outreach to women through direct benefit transfers. “Women no longer have to line up at Congress agents’ homes for lungis or mosquito nets. They withdraw their funds directly from banks under Orunudoi,” he said.
“What we’ve done in the last four years is just the trailer. If we return to power, you’ll see the full-feature film. As for lungis and tupis, Assam doesn’t need them. If Congress wants to distribute those, they can do it in Bangladesh,” the Chief Minister said.
“If Congress comes back to power, Assam will be ruled by lungis and tupis,” he added.
Highlighting welfare initiatives, Sarma said, “We launched the Orunudoi scheme in 2018 with ₹930 monthly support for 22 lakh beneficiaries. This time, we’re expanding it to reach 40 lakh people. Every poor family in Assam will be included.”
He also announced special provisions for widows and women entrepreneurs. “The Chief Minister’s Mahila Udyamita Scheme began in Behali, and it will be launched in Dhemaji by May or June. It won’t stop at ₹10,000. Women who use the funds productively will get ₹25,000 next year and ₹50,000 in the third year,” he said.
The Chief Minister also underlined new benefits linked to ration cards. “People can now access medical treatment up to ₹5 lakh at government hospitals with their ration cards. They will also get free admission to schools and colleges. We’re even considering cutting LPG prices by ₹300 per cylinder,” Sarma added.
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